Privacy Policy

Last updated: 03/02/2026

Muckrach Country House (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you visit our website, make a reservation, or stay with us, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

Hotel Name: Muckrach Country House
Address: Muckrach, Dulnain Bridge, Highland, Scotland PH26 3LY
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 03330 151 320

Muckrach Country House is the data controller responsible for your personal data.

2. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

1. a) Information you provide to us

• Name and title
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Postal address
• Reservation and stay details
• Dietary requirements and special requests
• Payment details (processed securely via third-party payment providers)
• Identification details where required by law

1. b) Information collected via our booking systems

When you make a reservation, your data is processed through our property management system, MEWS, which securely stores guest and booking information on our behalf.

1. c) Information collected automatically

• IP address
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and interactions with our website
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your personal data to:

• Manage and confirm reservations
• Provide accommodation, dining and guest services
• Communicate with you before, during, and after your stay
• Process payments, deposits and refunds
• Meet legal and regulatory obligations
• Improve our services and guest experience
• Send marketing communications where you have given consent

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

• Contract: To fulfil your reservation and provide hotel services
• Legal obligation: To comply with hospitality and tax regulations
• Legitimate interests: To operate, improve, and protect our business
• Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies

5. Marketing Communications

We will only send marketing communications where you have actively opted in.
You may withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or contacting us directly.

6. Use of MEWS PMS

We use MEWS Systems s.r.o. as our property management system to manage reservations, guest profiles, and billing.

MEWS acts as a data processor on our behalf and processes personal data in accordance with UK GDPR requirements. Appropriate contractual and technical safeguards are in place to ensure your data remains secure.

For more information, please see MEWS’ own Privacy Policy.

7. Sharing Your Personal Data

We may share your personal data with trusted third parties, including:

• MEWS PMS
• Payment service providers
• Booking platforms and channel managers (e.g. online travel agents)
• IT, website, and hosting providers
• Professional advisers (legal, accounting)
• Regulatory or law enforcement authorities where legally required

All third parties are required to safeguard your data and use it only for specified purposes.

8. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may process data outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.

9. Data Security

We take data security seriously and use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against loss, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to:

• Complete your booking and stay
• Meet legal, accounting, and tax obligations
• Resolve disputes or enforce agreements

Retention periods vary depending on the type of data and legal requirements.

11. Your Data Protection Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request erasure of your data
• Restrict or object to processing
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details above.

12. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to ensure it functions correctly, improve performance, and enhance your browsing experience. Some cookies are essential, while others help us analyse website usage or support marketing activity.

Further details are available in our Cookie Policy [below].

13. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Website: https://ico.org.uk

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will always be available on our website.

This Cookie Policy explains how Muckrach Country House (“we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.
It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They help websites function properly, remember your preferences, and collect information about how visitors use the site.
Cookies may be session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (stored on your device for a longer period).

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:
• Ensure our website functions correctly
• Improve website performance and usability
• Understand how visitors interact with our website
• Support marketing and promotional activity (where consent is given)
We do not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information without your knowledge or consent.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

a) Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions such as:
• Navigating pages
• Accessing secure areas
• Managing cookie preferences
Because these cookies are essential, they do not require consent.

b) Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often and how users move around the site.
This information is aggregated and anonymised and is used solely to improve website performance and user experience.
Examples may include:
• Google Analytics (or similar tools)
These cookies are only set with your consent.

c) Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies may be used to track visitors across websites in order to display relevant content, offers, or advertising.
They may be set by us or by third-party providers and are only used where you have given explicit consent.

d) Functional Cookies
Functional cookies allow the website to remember choices you make, such as preferences or settings, to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation.
These cookies may be treated as essential or optional depending on their purpose.

4. Cookies and Booking Systems (MEWS)

When you make a reservation or interact with our booking journey, cookies may be set by our property management and booking system, MEWS.
These cookies help:
• Maintain booking sessions
• Ensure secure reservation processing
• Improve booking functionality
MEWS processes data on our behalf as a data processor and complies with UK GDPR requirements.

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie banner allowing you to:
• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Manage your cookie preferences
You can update your preferences at any time by revisiting the cookie settings on our website.

6. How to Control Cookies via Your Browser

You can also control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
Guidance for popular browsers:
• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Microsoft Edge

7. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third parties, such as analytics or booking providers. These third parties are responsible for their own cookies and privacy practices.
We recommend reviewing their privacy policies for further information.

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, law, or our website. The most current version will always be available on our website.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Muckrach Country House
Email: [email protected]
Telephone:  03330 151 320